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| It's getting Christmasy up in here! Bring on the gingerbread houses & cookies! Yum! • © Jane Smith |
Thursday, December 9, 2021
Happy Holidays from Super Jane
Wednesday, December 8, 2021
Super Star Children's Book Review: Saturday at the Food Pantry
Welcome to the monthly children’s book review feature here at Bird Meets Worm! My team of reviewers—Joan Charles, Laurie L. Young—and I are thrilled to pieces to be celebrating an exciting variety of gorgeous children’s books across all genres that delight, challenge and intrigue! Here at Bird Meets Worm we believe the world is a better, happier, more empathetic place for you and me and everyone when we connect through the magic of storytelling. Look for a new review on the second Wednesday of every month. Please note that the Bird Meets Worm blog will be taking a holiday break in January. Our next exciting book review will post in February 2022. Cheers!!!
SATURDAY AT THE FOOD PANTRY
Written by Diane O'Neill • Illustrated by Brizida Magro
Picture Book • 32 pages
Albert Whitman & Company • 2021
ISBN: 978-0-8075-7236-8
Mom says everyone need help sometimes. And sometimes that means visiting a food pantry. When Molly and her mom visit their local food pantry for the first time, Molly discovers that it is a bit different from the grocery store; they have to wait in line to enter and check in. There’s also lots of signs reminding them to only take one of each food item, so there will be enough for everyone.
When Molly sees her classmate, Caitlin, at the food pantry, Molly is excited at first. But when Caitlin is embarrassed, Molly is confused. Then when Molly wants to add a box of sugar cookies to their cart and her mom hesitates, also looking embarrassed, Molly starts to wonder if there’s something wrong with needing help.
But when friendly volunteers and neighbors join up with Molly’s creativity and positivity, a sense of community is created, and Molly, her mom, and even Caitlin, are able to gently affirm that indeed everyone does need help sometimes and that that’s okay!
Filled with bright, friendly illustrations, Saturday at the Food Pantry, is an especially timely and important picture book. It gently shines a light on food insecurity, which affects millions of households every year, and ends with hope, togetherness and a full belly.
Buy this book:
Barnes & Noble
Bird Meets Worm Bookshop
Independent Bookstores
Reviewed by: Jane Smith
SATURDAY AT THE FOOD PANTRY
Written by Diane O'Neill • Illustrated by Brizida Magro
Picture Book • 32 pages
Albert Whitman & Company • 2021
ISBN: 978-0-8075-7236-8
Mom says everyone need help sometimes. And sometimes that means visiting a food pantry. When Molly and her mom visit their local food pantry for the first time, Molly discovers that it is a bit different from the grocery store; they have to wait in line to enter and check in. There’s also lots of signs reminding them to only take one of each food item, so there will be enough for everyone.
When Molly sees her classmate, Caitlin, at the food pantry, Molly is excited at first. But when Caitlin is embarrassed, Molly is confused. Then when Molly wants to add a box of sugar cookies to their cart and her mom hesitates, also looking embarrassed, Molly starts to wonder if there’s something wrong with needing help.
But when friendly volunteers and neighbors join up with Molly’s creativity and positivity, a sense of community is created, and Molly, her mom, and even Caitlin, are able to gently affirm that indeed everyone does need help sometimes and that that’s okay!
Filled with bright, friendly illustrations, Saturday at the Food Pantry, is an especially timely and important picture book. It gently shines a light on food insecurity, which affects millions of households every year, and ends with hope, togetherness and a full belly.
Buy this book:
Barnes & Noble
Bird Meets Worm Bookshop
Independent Bookstores
Reviewed by: Jane Smith
Tuesday, December 7, 2021
Super Star Interviews: Ashley Belote
Welcome to my monthly interview feature! I’m so excited to be interviewing all the fabulous artists, illustrators and designers I’ve meet over the years (both personally and virtually!) and sharing their artwork and experiences here on Bird Meets Worm. Look for a new interview on the first Tuesday of every month. Please note that the Bird Meets Worm blog will be taking a holiday break in January. Our next exciting interview will post in February 2022. Cheers!!!
This month I'm pleased as peppermint punch to be catching up with the fabulous author-illustrator Ashley Belote! I'm lucky to have meet Ashley through the SCBWI-Carolinas and am excited to share her latest adorable children's books here today! Ashley is the illustrator of Frankenslime (Feiwel & Friends, 2021) and Valenslime (Feiwel & Friends, 2021). She is the author-illustrator of her solo debut early reader The Me Tree (Penguin Workshop, 2021) and her solo debut picture book Listen Up, Louella (Feiwel & Friends, 2022). She also serves as the Illustrator Coordinator for the Carolinas chapter of SCBWI. Ashley is represented by Moe Ferrara of BookEnds Literary Agency. You can view more of her fun-tastic artwork here.
Q: You have two NEW children’s books, Valenslime and The Me Tree, that released last month! (Super exciting! Congratulations!) First, give us the full scoop on Valenslime, the second title in the slime series with publisher Feiwel & Friends: how you came to be illustrating it, the development process with your publisher & what you love best about your new book!
A: Thank you so much for having me on your blog, Jane! I am super excited about both of these books and really appreciate your support! Valenslime is the follow-up to Frankenslime. I was chosen to illustrate Frankenslime after meeting the art director Mallory Grigg at the annual SCBWI Carolinas Conference in Charlotte, NC. We were so excited to continue the series with Valenslime! It was very interesting to illustrate a sequel. I love drawing the main characters, Victoria Franken, Igor (the puppy side kick), and Goop (the monster that Victoria and Igor created in Frankenslime.). They are a fun trio to draw, and I was eager for them to get into more slimy situations!
Q: Next, let’s dish about your second NEW children’s book, The Me Tree, which released with Penguin Workshop! This title is your debut as BOTH author and illustrator! How was your development process and publication experience different with The Me Tree? And what is your favorite page in the entire story?
A: The development process for The Me Tree was quite different from working on Frankenslime and Valenslime. My process begins with character development. I need to be able to see a character before I can write about it, so this entire story began with a little bear sketch. I was working with a group of students at the Ballantyne Arts center in Charlotte, NC, and we were making prints using cabbage leaves. You can spread them out, dip them in paint, and press them to paper to create a print. After I showed them, I was looking at my demo piece and thought it looked like a tree. I drew a little bear peeking out from behind it and the line, “Who’s in my tree,” popped right into my head. I continued sketching from there and eventually developed the full manuscript and created the sketch dummy from there. I essentially developed the words and pictures simultaneously verses having the words already in front of me. I really enjoyed the whole process.
I think my favorite page in the entire story in the spread on 18-19. This is point during which Bear gets completely fed up with all the animals invading his space. Half of the spread show spot illustrations of possums hanging on Bear’s clothesline, goats invading his yoga time, and beavers gnawing on the couch Bear is trying to nap on, haha. The other half of the spread shows a giraffe winding through the tree house from the downstairs all the way up through the chimney! Poor Bear—haha.
Q: Your background as an illustrator is in traditional animation. Chat with us a bit about your creative process—sketches to tools to final artwork—and how your animation background has influenced your approach to children’s books.
A: My animation background has heavily influenced my work in children’s books. I learned so much about composition while I was studying animation and also the importance of staying on model when illustrating a character over multiple spreads. Your character needs to be consistent and that’s one of my favorite challenges.
I have been working digitally for several years now and really enjoy it. I do sketch traditionally quite a bit, but once I have a solid idea, I’ll scan it and take it into the digital work space. I work in Procreate most of the time and use Photoshop for tweaking. When I do work traditionally, I’m a big fan of illustration board and gouache. I have a new studio space now, so I’m hoping to get back into that style a bit more.
Q: Let’s talk inspiration—who, what, where inspires you most as an illustrator? How about as an author?
A: I am inspired by my surroundings and humor! I think laughing is super important. Comic relief is a real thing and can change the feel of a situation. I watch a lot of sit coms (Frasier is the absolute BEST) so a lot of what I want to do as an illustrator is to present humor. Kids laughing is magical, and if I can get a chuckle while showing my art or reading to them, that’s a win.
Q: Describe your most perfect Sunday.
A: My most perfect Sunday would be to be spend the day drawing while watching movies with my husband, Scott (preferably while it’s snowing outside, though Scott would completely disagree about that part 😊). Drawing is still my favorite thing to do during my down time. I absolutely love it and feel blessed to be able to use my passion to make books!
This month I'm pleased as peppermint punch to be catching up with the fabulous author-illustrator Ashley Belote! I'm lucky to have meet Ashley through the SCBWI-Carolinas and am excited to share her latest adorable children's books here today! Ashley is the illustrator of Frankenslime (Feiwel & Friends, 2021) and Valenslime (Feiwel & Friends, 2021). She is the author-illustrator of her solo debut early reader The Me Tree (Penguin Workshop, 2021) and her solo debut picture book Listen Up, Louella (Feiwel & Friends, 2022). She also serves as the Illustrator Coordinator for the Carolinas chapter of SCBWI. Ashley is represented by Moe Ferrara of BookEnds Literary Agency. You can view more of her fun-tastic artwork here.
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| Nothing says "I love you" like glitter slime! |
Q: You have two NEW children’s books, Valenslime and The Me Tree, that released last month! (Super exciting! Congratulations!) First, give us the full scoop on Valenslime, the second title in the slime series with publisher Feiwel & Friends: how you came to be illustrating it, the development process with your publisher & what you love best about your new book!
A: Thank you so much for having me on your blog, Jane! I am super excited about both of these books and really appreciate your support! Valenslime is the follow-up to Frankenslime. I was chosen to illustrate Frankenslime after meeting the art director Mallory Grigg at the annual SCBWI Carolinas Conference in Charlotte, NC. We were so excited to continue the series with Valenslime! It was very interesting to illustrate a sequel. I love drawing the main characters, Victoria Franken, Igor (the puppy side kick), and Goop (the monster that Victoria and Igor created in Frankenslime.). They are a fun trio to draw, and I was eager for them to get into more slimy situations!
Because of the nature of the story, a lot of the spreads were completely filled with slime. It was a fun challenge to illustrate characters in a space the becomes increasingly constricted throughout the story. The publisher, Feiwel & Friends, is so great to work with. The art director for Valenslime was Cindy De La Cruz, and she provided great direction throughout the whole process. What I love most about this book is the story of friendship that it presents. Victoria sets out on this adventure because she wants to do what’s best for Goop. Doing something nice for a friend is a lesson we can all benefit from.
(Psst! You can get your very own copy of Valenslime in time for Valentine's Day here:)
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| What a cute trio!!! |
Q: Next, let’s dish about your second NEW children’s book, The Me Tree, which released with Penguin Workshop! This title is your debut as BOTH author and illustrator! How was your development process and publication experience different with The Me Tree? And what is your favorite page in the entire story?
A: The development process for The Me Tree was quite different from working on Frankenslime and Valenslime. My process begins with character development. I need to be able to see a character before I can write about it, so this entire story began with a little bear sketch. I was working with a group of students at the Ballantyne Arts center in Charlotte, NC, and we were making prints using cabbage leaves. You can spread them out, dip them in paint, and press them to paper to create a print. After I showed them, I was looking at my demo piece and thought it looked like a tree. I drew a little bear peeking out from behind it and the line, “Who’s in my tree,” popped right into my head. I continued sketching from there and eventually developed the full manuscript and created the sketch dummy from there. I essentially developed the words and pictures simultaneously verses having the words already in front of me. I really enjoyed the whole process.
I think my favorite page in the entire story in the spread on 18-19. This is point during which Bear gets completely fed up with all the animals invading his space. Half of the spread show spot illustrations of possums hanging on Bear’s clothesline, goats invading his yoga time, and beavers gnawing on the couch Bear is trying to nap on, haha. The other half of the spread shows a giraffe winding through the tree house from the downstairs all the way up through the chimney! Poor Bear—haha.
(Psst! You can order The Me Tree here today:)
 |
| What a beary sweet story! |
Q: Your background as an illustrator is in traditional animation. Chat with us a bit about your creative process—sketches to tools to final artwork—and how your animation background has influenced your approach to children’s books.
A: My animation background has heavily influenced my work in children’s books. I learned so much about composition while I was studying animation and also the importance of staying on model when illustrating a character over multiple spreads. Your character needs to be consistent and that’s one of my favorite challenges.
I have been working digitally for several years now and really enjoy it. I do sketch traditionally quite a bit, but once I have a solid idea, I’ll scan it and take it into the digital work space. I work in Procreate most of the time and use Photoshop for tweaking. When I do work traditionally, I’m a big fan of illustration board and gouache. I have a new studio space now, so I’m hoping to get back into that style a bit more.
 |
| Just a little cozy letter-writing... |
Q: Let’s talk inspiration—who, what, where inspires you most as an illustrator? How about as an author?
A: I am inspired by my surroundings and humor! I think laughing is super important. Comic relief is a real thing and can change the feel of a situation. I watch a lot of sit coms (Frasier is the absolute BEST) so a lot of what I want to do as an illustrator is to present humor. Kids laughing is magical, and if I can get a chuckle while showing my art or reading to them, that’s a win.
Q: What do you know now that when you first began your children’s book publishing career you wish you’d known about: writing? illustrating? business? self-promotion?
A: I think the importance exploring compositions is something I wish that I would have known more about. There is no need to limit yourself in your mind before trying something. There is no harm is trying something completely off the wall—in fact, everything we make should be off the wall! As artists, its our job to dig deep into our imaginations and bring our ideas to paper. There is no reason to hold back so matter how crazy you think your idea is, just do it anyway! If it doesn’t turn out, likely you’ll find an aspect about it that you do like and then continue working from there.
A: I think the importance exploring compositions is something I wish that I would have known more about. There is no need to limit yourself in your mind before trying something. There is no harm is trying something completely off the wall—in fact, everything we make should be off the wall! As artists, its our job to dig deep into our imaginations and bring our ideas to paper. There is no reason to hold back so matter how crazy you think your idea is, just do it anyway! If it doesn’t turn out, likely you’ll find an aspect about it that you do like and then continue working from there.
 |
| Ooo! I love a homemade greeting card! |
Q: Describe your most perfect Sunday.
A: My most perfect Sunday would be to be spend the day drawing while watching movies with my husband, Scott (preferably while it’s snowing outside, though Scott would completely disagree about that part 😊). Drawing is still my favorite thing to do during my down time. I absolutely love it and feel blessed to be able to use my passion to make books!
Thank you so much, Ashley, for chatting with us here at Bird Meets Worm today! Congratulations on your fabulous new children's titles! Yay!
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